In the mid-2000s, Springfield’s 9th & Main building was a hot-spot.
Henrietta’s restaurant attracted people from all over the city. Attached was a lounge and entertainment venue featuring a small stage and theater.
“It was a gathering place for the whole community,” said Christina Parrish, executive director of the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council.
More than a decade later, only remnants remain of its short-lived past. Kitchen equipment that hasn’t been used in years, waiter wallets strewn about and fliers for events come and gone.
That is mixed with piles of trash and the occasional piece of clothing or pair of shoes, blight and grime that often collect in a building that’s been vacant for years.
However, there are now signs of life.
On Tuesday, several people walked through the place thinking of what they could turn it into during an open house of sorts held by the city.
The building has been publicly owned since the former developer defaulted on a city loan resulting in foreclosure.
“It’s a diamond in the rough,” said Shanna Carter, founder and CEO of the Krumpin 4 Success nonprofit. “You can create something here.”
In the next week or so, those interested can put in an offer for their very own piece of Main Street.
The decline over years
In the early 2000s, developer Craig Van Horn purchased the former Firestone automotive garage and added to his collection of Springfield properties to rehab.
The venture at 9th & Main turned into a short-lived success before Van Horn defaulted on the $250,000 low-interest loan secured from the city’s Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund.
When that happened, the city foreclosed in 2008 — the start of the real estate bubble bursting.
Parrish remembers when the city first took control of the property, there were a number of people interested in buying it.
Nothing happened.
The vacancy has attracted some unwanted attention, too.
The air-conditioning units from the roof were stolen. Some of the windows of the garage-style front were broken. There were a few break-ins as evidenced by the accumulated food trash — most notably from the Popeyes next door — and random pieces of clothing.
It had turned into one of Jacksonville’s many forgotten buildings.
Parrish credits Mayor Lenny Curry’s administration for trying to correct that, after a request for proposals hit the streets to find a buyer who could do something positive with the building.
It’s gained some interest.
‘It was a great place’
For an hour Tuesday, several people walked through the old restaurant, looked at the stage and entertainment area, peeked inside the dark theatre and chit-chatted on the outdoor patio.
Despite years of flaws that have accumulated, some saw the potential for their possible venture.
“I think it’s beautiful,” said Michelle McInnis of The Sweet Spot Urban Lounge.
Her husband looked at the building when it was open for a walk-through two weeks ago.
Now it was her turn to see if the place was right for her family-friendly dessert lounge concept. She has a 14-year-old daughter, too old for Chuck E. Cheese parties and in need of something different.
McInnis said she had heard stories going into the walk-through of how bad the place had become, but walked away liking the ambiance.
Carter would like to convert 9th & Main into the home for a youth organization that encourages teens in areas of music, fashion, dance, culinary skills and graffiti art.
It would be a way to teach teens to start a business and become their own boss while promoting academic stability. The restaurant, stage and theatre areas all could play a part of that.
Jeriees Ewais has experience in the restaurant business. The owner of Downtown’s Zodiac Bar & Grill spent Tuesday morning looking the place over, thinking of the possibilities of expanded offerings of his Mediterranean-inspired business.
The expansive lounge could be that gathering place with pool tables and other activities. The patio, maybe a hookah area. Plus, he lives a couple of blocks away making it an easy walk or bike ride.
He, too, remembers what it once was.
“It was a great place, especially the restaurant part,” said Ewais, who is working with a couple of investors who might bid on the property.
He remembers the lines at lunchtime, especially pulling customers from the nearby hospital.
Parrish does, too. She won’t be bidding and doesn’t have any clients making an offer, but recently walked through the building just to see.
“I don’t think it’s that bad off,” she said.
An appraisal from recent years in the RFP has the property’s value as $200,000.
The 2016 in-progress market value, according to the city property appraiser website, has an assessed value of $427,000.
What the city ends up receiving won’t be known for a while. Bids close and viable suitors will be named March 16, unless the deadline is extended like it has been a couple of times in recent weeks.
Although she won’t be in the running, Parrish does have a thought on what would be its best use. She believes a restaurant and bar-type business would be the ideal fit for the neighborhood.
Much like it was for a brief run over a decade ago.
(904) 356-2466